Deputy facing sex charges accused of making video

Published: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 5:31 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 5:31 p.m.

The New Hanover County sheriff's deputy arrested on felony sex charges earlier this week is accused of secretly recording video of a 15-year-old girl while she undressed, an official familiar with the investigation said Tuesday.

The deputy, Harold Lamont Fletcher, 37, was charged Monday with secret peeping and taking indecent liberties with a minor. Though arrested in New Hanover County, Fletcher was jailed in neighboring Brunswick County for security reasons.

Fletcher appeared in a New Hanover County courtroom for the first time on Tuesday for a standard administrative proceeding. During the appearance, District Court Judge James Faison granted Fletcher a court-appointed attorney but denied a request to reduce his bail, which on Tuesday remained at $15,000, said Sgt. Jerry Brewer, public information officer for the sheriff's office. If Fletcher is unable to post bail or qualify for pretrial release, then he will stay jailed until trial.

Fletcher worked for the sheriff's office for five years before being placed on paid leave Dec. 3, after officials received a criminal complaint about the deputy. Fletcher was fired on Monday, the same day that the State Bureau of Investigation – which commonly investigates crimes involving law enforcement officers – brought the charges against him.

SBI spokeswoman Noelle Talley confirmed Fletcher is suspected of recording the teenager girl undressing over the past year. She did not immediately know Fletcher's relationship with the girl or how many times she had been recorded.

Talley said the case is expected to go in front of a grand jury, which could indict Fletcher.

<p>The New Hanover County sheriff's deputy arrested on felony sex charges earlier this week is accused of secretly recording video of a 15-year-old girl while she undressed, an official familiar with the investigation said Tuesday.</p><p>The deputy, Harold Lamont Fletcher, 37, was charged Monday with secret peeping and taking indecent liberties with a minor. Though arrested in New Hanover County, Fletcher was jailed in neighboring Brunswick County for security reasons.</p><p>Fletcher appeared in a New Hanover County courtroom for the first time on Tuesday for a standard administrative proceeding. During the appearance, District Court Judge James Faison granted Fletcher a court-appointed attorney but denied a request to reduce his bail, which on Tuesday remained at $15,000, said Sgt. Jerry Brewer, public information officer for the sheriff's office. If Fletcher is unable to post bail or qualify for pretrial release, then he will stay jailed until trial.</p><p>Fletcher worked for the sheriff's office for five years before being placed on paid leave Dec. 3, after officials received a criminal complaint about the deputy. Fletcher was fired on Monday, the same day that the State Bureau of Investigation – which commonly investigates crimes involving law enforcement officers – brought the charges against him. </p><p>SBI spokeswoman Noelle Talley confirmed Fletcher is suspected of recording the teenager girl undressing over the past year. She did not immediately know Fletcher's relationship with the girl or how many times she had been recorded. </p><p>Talley said the case is expected to go in front of a grand jury, which could indict Fletcher.</p><p>It was not immediately clear whether more charges were forthcoming.</p><p>"The investigation is continuing," Talley said. </p><p><i></p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9904"><b>Brian Freskos</b></a>: 343-2327</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @BrianFreskos</i></p>